Ovarian cancer survivor Ursula Martin has walked over 2,000 miles through Wales – getting nearer to her 3,300-mile target on a trek to raise awareness of the disease.

Since setting off from home in Machynlleth in March last year, the care worker has climbed Wales’s highest peaks and crossed mountains, moorland and woods.

She’s slept in forests, fields and a church, survived a three-inch wide blister, lost a stone in weight and made scores of friends.

The 34-year-old took on the mammoth hike after her world travels were cut short when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just before her 32nd birthday in early 2012.

She said: “Cancer shakes your foundations and doing this walk has made me realise I am the same person.

“After surgery I was hurt and scared but didn’t want to be ruled by cancer. I wanted to live my life. I couldn’t travel because I had to be here for hospital appointments for five years so I carried on by walking around Wales between appointments.”

She has documented her journey online raising awareness about ovarian cancer, which kills 12 women in the UK every day.

Ursula Martin during the Anglesey leg of her walk (Image: TM)

Crossing Wales from Offa’s Dyke to the Wales Coastal Path and from Snowdonia to the Brecon Beacons she has raised over £7,000 for the Target Ovarian Cancer and the Penny Brohn Cancer Care charities.

Ursula, who said survival rates for the disease after one year are 3% lower in Wales than the rest of the UK, has lobbied AMs and wants a public health campaign to raise awareness of symptoms.

Her symptoms included back pain, a swollen stomach and difficulty eating and urinating.

She said: “It started off as an eight month walk; then it was 10 months and now I’m looking at 14 months. I’m having a brilliant time. It’s really hard and takes a lot of determination. It’s so important for me to do this because of my cancer.”

She said: “The more I looked at the map of Wales; the more I could see different routes and paths.”

Ursula has chosen to follow valleys and rivers but the trek has taken its toll on her feet.

She said: “I’ve strained my tendons but as long as I take care of myself I’ll make it. Half of it is physical; half has being strong mentally.”

Meeting people as she has hiked, Ursula has been offered beds for the night, been fed and even given foot spas by wellwishers.

Born in Swansea, Ursula grew up in Derbyshire but has lived more recently in Aberystwyth and now Machynlleth.

She said: “I have met some amazing and generous people. It’s what’s kept me going. I believe in the goodness of people and Wales is very beautiful. I have never felt lonely.”

She met one lady in Betws-y-Coed who kitted her out in winter gear and accompanied her up Snowdon.

She said: “It was the most stunning day because we were higher than the clouds and the sky was blue.

Braving nights out camping in the frost she has walked through gales, fallen into a bog, worn out a pair of boots and lost her phone.

But she’s already planning her next trek when she finishes walking Wales next March.

Ursula said: “I want to walk across Europe after this. I have a 1.5% chance of the cancer coming back by 2017. That’s not worth stopping for.”